March Newsletter

March 20th, 2025

#PostForPencils is here!

Roseville, MN- Every day, in every classroom, there are moments of discovery—when a child sounds out a new word for the first time, fills a page with their biggest ideas, or finally grasps a lesson they’ve been struggling with. These moments might seem inconsequential but they’re significant, shaping a student’s confidence and love for learning. And at the heart of each one?

A simple pencil.

A pencil may seem like a small thing, but in the hands of a student, it becomes a tool for possibility. It’s the beginning sentence of a tale, the solution to a math problem, the first strokes of a drawing; it’s the earliest step towards a dream. For so many students, something as simple as a pencil can mean the difference between feeling prepared or left behind in the classroom.

That’s why we’ve been so excited about partnering with Dixon Ticonderoga for the 5th year in a row for the iconic #PostforPencils campaign. This month, we’ve put the spotlight on the power of a pencil—and how you can help ensure every student has access to the supplies they need to learn, create, and thrive. With just over one week left, there’s still time to make an impact. Every post, share, and donation helps provide essential supplies to students who need them most.

When you think of school supplies, what’s one of the first items that comes to mind?

Year after year, pencils are the most requested school supply by teachers. Something as simple as a pencil can open the door to learning, creativity, and confidence in the classroom. It’s the first lines of a heartfelt story, the careful shading of a budding artist’s masterpiece, or the numbers that finally add up to a proud smile. It’s a tool for expression, a building block for problem-solving, and a symbol of possibility. But for many students, even these basic supplies aren’t always within reach. That’s why #PostforPencils was created—to transform a simple social media post into real support for students who need it most.

Thanks to our incredible partner, Dixon Ticonderoga, every post with the #PostforPencils on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram helps provide pencils to classrooms that need them most. For each post, Ticonderoga will donate a pack of pencils—up to 2 Million packs—through Kids In Need Foundation, altering the access to essential supplies to students in under-resourced schools.

“The pencil is such an iconic symbol to the classroom experience. Not only memorable, but the first writing tool that allows us to share our stories. Stories are what brings us together to build compassion and understanding. Pencils give us the power to share different pieces of us with the world.” - Juan Edgar Gonzalez Jr, 3rd Grade Teacher; Dickinson, Texas

But the impact doesn’t stop there.

Dixon has gone above and beyond, sending copious truckloads of supplies to Kids In Need Foundation—ensuring teachers and students not only have pencils but also the essential tools needed to learn, create, and thrive. Dixon Ticonderoga has sent hundreds and thousands of art supplies, notebooks, classroom decorations and tools to KINF’s headquarters to use as a hub to support teachers here in the Twin Cities as well as across the country through Kids In Need Foundation’s national network of Teacher Resource Centers.

Dixon’s generosity is more than just a donation—it’s sustentation for students and teachers who too often go without the supplies they need. With every pencil, every paint brush, every poster board and every notebook they are opening doors to learning, creativity, and endless possibility. Their support isn’t just filling pencil pouches, backpacks and classrooms; it’s fueling dreams, empowering young minds, and reminding teachers that they are not alone in their mission to inspire.

Dixon Ticonderoga’s commitment to education is proof that something as small as a pencil can create ripples of change that reach far beyond the classroom. And while their impact is already felt in schools across the country, there’s always more work to be done. If you, too, believe in the power of a simple tool to change a child’s future, we invite you to join us—because when we come together, even the smallest school supply can write a brighter future for every child.

Corporate Spotlight
February Newsletter (600 x 200 px) (3)

This month, we’re shining a spotlight on one of our most dedicated partners—3M. Recently, we sat down with Allie Larson, 3M’s Social Impact Strategy Manager, who spoke about the incredible impact the two organizations are able to create within under-resourced schools across the country. From Post-it Notes to Nexcare bandages, 3M has consistently stepped up to ensure students and teachers have the tools they need to succeed.

“When we want to achieve a more generalized impact—especially in early education, middle school, and high school—Kids In Need Foundation is top of mind,” Allie shared, underscoring the deep alignment between 3M and KINF’s mission. That commitment has translated into action in a big way—this year, 3M is on track to reach an astounding $50 million in total product donations to KINF.

“We love that 3M and KINF share community with the same geographic headquarters. Our MN volunteers are inspired by the tangible impact we can have through packing or distribution events where we see 3M products making their way to under-resourced teachers and students. Whether volunteering for a few hours or a whole day, KINF ensures that our teams understand the significance of their contribution and the powerful impact we can have when 3M and KINF join forces for good.”

What makes 3M’s generosity even more impactful is the speed and efficiency with which they support our network. “Your ability to take, receive, and distribute across your entire network so that we know we're serving the nation—that’s huge.” Their product donations, from everyday classroom essentials to critical health and safety supplies, don’t just fill backpacks and classrooms; they create opportunities for students to learn, create, and grow.

We are incredibly grateful for 3M’s commitment to education as a testament to what’s possible when businesses invest in the future of students. If you’re inspired by 3M’s generosity, consider joining us—whether by donating, volunteering, or spreading the word about Kids In Need’s mission.

Join us for #PostForPencils!

“There’s a powerful tactile experience created when a pencil and a hand come together. This experience, known as writing, is irreplaceable and a building block to learning self-reflection, critical thinking and self-expression. Our handwriting is as unique as our fingerprints; it is an experience that cannot be replicated by technological devices in the process of learning.” - Tanya Diaz; 5th Grade Science Teacher; Miami, Florida

In the day and age of digital learning, the power that a timeless writing utensil holds is immeasurable. A simple pencil is the first step toward a new idea, the tool that turns mistakes into lessons, and the spark that fuels creativity in the classroom. Right now, you have the power to put these essential tools into the hands of students who need them most—simply by sharing a post.

With just over one week left, there’s still time to make a difference. Every social media post using #PostforPencils helps provide real supplies to classrooms in need. It’s an easy, meaningful way to show support for students and teachers everywhere.
So don’t wait—join us in writing a brighter future, one pencil at a time. Post, share, and be part of something bigger today.

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